Dust PM2.5 smog Chiang Mai When do you bring cats and dogs into the house?

Last checked 2026-08-02

The direct answer: When do you bring your cat and dog into the house?

The straightforward answer is that there are no fixed numbers.

There were no agencies found in this round of research. Both Thailand and foreign countries announce AQI or PM2.5 values as criteria for keeping pets in the home especially.

Who can tell me the exact number that exceeds this amount and that cats and dogs must be kept in the house? Be careful first. Because there is no source that actually confirms that number.

What it actually does is use structural rules instead of numbers. Look at the weather in front of you. Look at your own pet. And from the time period it was known that there was heavy dust. Details are in the next section.

Why is smog in the North a matter of concern?

Chiang Mai has a burning season from January to April every year.

Research in the Journal of Chiang Mai University measured the average PM2.5 value during the burning season at 55.5 micrograms per cubic meter. March was the heaviest with an average of 78.66.

From May to December which is not the burning season. The average dropped to 13.9, the lowest in September was just 6.91, a difference of several times. Confirming that the smog season is real Not just a feeling

The 2021 full-year average is 41.54, many times higher than Thailand's annual dust standard of 15 micrograms.

In the same year, there were 45 days, or approximately 12.3% of the year, where daily dust values exceeded Thailand's daily standards.

Chiang Mai Province officially announces a ban on open burning from 1 February to 31 May 2026.

The entire province has more than 1 million rai of burned area per year, although this has reduced by more than 500,000 rai from the previous year.

IQAir, a world-class air quality monitor It says February to April is the worst weather of the year. Before it gets better clearly when the rainy season enters.

How do smoke and dust affect pets?

Smoke from wildfires and smog can affect pets, not just people.

Animals with pre-existing heart or respiratory disease are especially at risk.

EPA US environmental agency It said elderly, young and pregnant animals are also at greater risk than usual.

Short-faced dog breeds like pugs and bulldogs They are more likely to have difficulty breathing than other breeds, according to the EPA and Cornell University's Center for Canine Health.

Cornell adds that Boston terriers fall into the same category.

There is no source that directly specifies the name of the short-faced Persian breed of cat. There are only short-faced dogs that are clearly named.

But the structure of the short nose is the same. It tends to cause this group of cats to have difficulty breathing more easily than their friends as well.

Birds are especially sensitive to smoke. The EPA states that birds should be kept indoors in rooms with cleaner air. When there is smoke in the air

Cornell explains pet risks from bad air close to human risk It mainly affects the heart and lungs.

The difference is that people can wear masks for protection. But pets can't.

Have Thai veterinarians ever talked about this?

There is, and it is a clear exception from other matters that Thai veterinary agencies do not usually talk about.

Department of Livestock Development, through the Animal Welfare and Veterinary Services Division Publish a topic infographic How do we take care of pets to keep them away from PM2.5 on January 6, 2026, just before this year's dust season?

Most of the content is in the pictures. It is not a quote that can be directly quoted, but its existence confirms that the Thai veterinary agency has actually started talking about it.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chulalongkorn University Publish research in the faculty's own journal. Studying the relationship between PM2.5 values ​​and the number of times dogs and cats come to the hospital with respiratory problems.

Data collected from small animal hospitals. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, October 2021 to March 2023.

As a result, no statistically significant relationship was found. Both in dogs and cats

Two things must be emphasized. This research uses data from Bangkok. Not Chiang Mai

And the result is not significant, it does not mean that PM2.5 is safe for pets. It just means that this sample has not yet found a clear relationship.

Structural rules: What do you use to decide instead of numbers?

The first point is to use your own senses.

If your eyes hurt, you smell smoke, or you see a clear dust cloud. Pets experience the same level of intensity as you. Immediately reduce the time your pet is outside.

Second, give priority to at-risk groups first.

Short-faced dogs, short-faced cats, older animals, pregnant animals, animals with heart or lung disease, and birds should start taking precautions earlier than other groups. Even though the dust is not very heavy.

Third, use known periods of heavy dust as an early warning.

From February to May in the northern region Let's start with the fact that we have to be careful first. Especially February to April which is the hardest. No need to wait and see the numbers before making a decision.

Fourth, don't wait until your pet shows symptoms before believing it.

Let the symptoms act as a motivator to see a doctor immediately. It's not a trigger to start being careful. Because by then it might already be too late.

Signs that need to be taken to the doctor immediately

dry cough or retching Difficulty breathing or hearing loud breathing. Open your mouth to breathe.

Eyes that are red or watery a lot, have a runny nose, and feel more tired than usual.

Drowsy or staggering Eat or drink less water

These symptoms are identified by Cornell University's Canine Health Center as signs of the effects of smoke and dust.

If the cat opens its mouth to breathe Pale, gray or purple gums or breathing using the stomach abnormally Go to emergency immediately, don't wait.

Learn more about how to recognize and move a cat with dyspnoea in our cat with dyspnoea guide.

If your cat is coughing but you're not sure if it's actually coughing or retrieving a hairball. There is a separate guide to separating coughing and retching from hairballs. Read more as well.

What can you do during heavy dust?

Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Close doors and windows during heavy dust.

If there is an air purifier Open it in the room where pets are most often.

There is clean water provided at all times.

Reduce strenuous activities outdoors, such as taking your dog for a run or taking a long walk during heavy dust. Change to short walks or playing indoors instead.

Risk groups like birds Short-faced dogs and cats, older animals, pregnant animals, and those with heart or lung disease You should refrain from going out of the house at all if possible. During the heaviest dust

Observe your pet's symptoms regularly throughout the dust season.

If you start to cough, breathe harder, or feel unusually lethargic Don't wait for it to heal on its own. Take him to the doctor even though his symptoms aren't serious.

Frequently asked questions

How much PM2.5 is required to keep cats and dogs in the house?

There are no official numbers. No agency has announced specific AQI or PM2.5 criteria for pets. Instead, pay attention if your eyes burn or you smell smoke. Immediately reduce the time your pet spends outside.

What time of year is the dust in the northern region the heaviest?

February to May is Chiang Mai's burning season. February to April are the heaviest. March is usually the dustiest month of the year.

Do Thai veterinarians talk about PM2.5 with pets?

The Department of Livestock Development published this infographic in early 2026. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, also researched this matter. But the information comes from Bangkok. Not Chiang Mai and the results have not yet found a clear relationship

Are short-faced cats like Persians more at risk than other cats?

There is no source that directly specifies the name of the short-faced cat breed. Only short-faced breeds such as pugs and bulldogs are clearly identified. The same nose structure is likely to cause breathing difficulties for these cats as well.

Are birds more at risk than cats and dogs when dust is heavy?

More at Risk The American Veterinary Association states that birds are especially sensitive to smoke and dust. Birds should not be left outside when there is smoke or dust.

Reference source: cmuj.cmu.ac.th · chiangmai.prd.go.th · chiangmai.prd.go.th · www.iqair.com · www.epa.gov · www.vet.cornell.edu · vetservice.dld.go.th · he01.tci-thaijo.org